Separable button.



'MS 2% l 95% z MM No. 838,970. PATBNTED DBG. 18, 1906. G. P. PLADE.

SBPARABLE BUTTON.

, APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SEPARABLE BUTTON.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed May 5, 1905. Serial No. 259.019.

`To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. FLADE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Separable Buttons, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in buttons, particularly of the separable or two-part type.

The main. object of the invention is the provision in a button of the class described of means for coupling or connecting the button members together, the means being arranged to form a irm eifective engagement between the members without interfering with their disconnection when desired Another ob] ect of the invention is the provision of means for locking the coupling means to prevent disconnection with the button members, whereby any possibility of accidental separation of the members is prevented.

Vith the above objects in view the invention consists in certain details of construction, which will be fully described in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a button constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same, the stem member being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the button, the cap being removed. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the holding-pin. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the button with the stem member in elevation, illustrating particularly the means for locking the members against separation. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, the locking means being shown in inoperative position in dotted outline. Fig. 7 is a detail of the stem member of the button. Fig. 8 is a detail of the spring-ring.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by similar referencenumerals throughout the several views, it will be noted that my improved button conprises two independent members, a stem member and a shank member, designed for cooperation, as is usual with buttons of this class.

The stem member 1 comprises a stem 2, formed or provided at one end with a head 3 of plain or ornamental design, The opposite end of the stem is formed with an annular groove 4, having its sides inclined from the vertical, as shown.

The shank member comprises a tubular shank 6, projecting centrally from a cylindrical base-plate 7. On its lower side the base-plate 7 is provided with a centrallyarranged concentric oset 8 projecting from the surface of the base-plate, but of less diameter than said base-plate. The tubular shank 6, base-plate 7, and oset 8 are preferably formed integral.

The bore 9 of the tubular shank 6 extends through the base-plate and through the offset 8, being of a size to receive the stem 2 of the stem member. The offset 8 is formed with a radially-arranged opening 10, which communicates with the bore 9 and in which is seated what I term a holding-pin 11. The pin 11 preferably tapers in longitudinal section, being rounded at its inner end, as at 12, and concaved at its outer end, as at 13.

The peripheral edge of the offset 8 is formed.

with a circumferential groove 14, arranged to receive a split ring 15 of spring material.

A cap 16 is designed to conceal and protect the operating parts of the button, being arranged to inclose the oifset 9 and adapted for connection with the base-plate 7, preferably by bending the peripheral edge of the cap down upon the upper edge of said baseplate, as is usual.

From the above description it will be understood that the locking-pin 11 is held within the opening 10 in the offset 8, the rounded end 12 thereof being normally projected within the plane of the bore 9 through the medium of the split ring 15, which overlies said pin, engaging the concaved outer end 13 thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In use the introduction of the stem 2 of the stem member lengthwise the bore 9 of the tubular shank will engage the pin 11 and force the same outwardly against the tension of spring-ring 15 to permit passage of the free end of the stem. When the annular groove 4 of the stem alines with the pin 11, the latter returns to normal position, seating itself in the annular groove 4, and thereby preventing accidental separation of the members. A sufficient pull exerted upon IOO the head of the stem member will, through` the engagement of the inclined shoulder 5 with the rounded end of the pin, force said pin outwardly and permit ready separation of the parts.

In the use of a highly ornamental or valuable head 3, as in jeweled studs or collar-buttons, it may become desirable to lock the stem member with relation to the shank member to prevent any possibility of accidental separation of the members. To provide for such contingency, I have added certain details of construction to the button above described, as particularly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. On reference to said figures it will be noted that the details of construction are identical with the button described with the exception that the split ring 17 has its ends separated to receive a pin 18, projecting inwardly from the cap 16. The pin 18 is of a length to extend from the wall of the cap to practically the base of the groove 14, formed in the offset 8, so that when properly positioned said pin 18 will directly overlie and prevent movement of the holding-pin 11. In this form of button the cap 16 is so engaged with the base-plate as to permit a 1evolution or turning of the cap, in which movement, owing to the arrangement of the pin` 18, hereinafter termed the locking-pin, with the split ring 17, said split ring will be also moved in the circumferential groove 14.

A stop-pin 19 projects from the base-plate, being arranged contiguous the opening 10=in the offset 8. 'The stop is designed to limit the movement of the cap in one direction, so as toV4 aline the pin 18 with the holding-pin 11, it being understood that the locking-pin contacts with the stop-pin to limit the movement of the cap.

In the use of the locking form of' button after the stem 2 has been inserted in the tubular shank and locked therein by the engagement of the holding-pin 11., as above described, the cap is rotated until the lockingpin '18 contacts with the stop-pin 19, in which position of the parts said locking-pin will preventr movement of the holding-pin, and thereby prevent disengagement of the members. A reverse movement of the cap will remove the locking-pin from operative position from above the holding-pin, as shownein dotted lines in Fig. 6, and through the connection of said locking-pin and split ring will also move said split ring until its body portion is above and in contact with the holding-pimas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. In this position of' the parts the stem member may be readily-disconnected from the shank member in the manner previously described.

In connection with the button illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 it is to be understood, oir' course, that the meeting ends of the split ring and disconnection of the members being simple and effective and concealed and protected from possible displacement or injury by a cap, which also adds a 'finish to the button, and that simple and effective means are provided whereby the respective members of the button may be locked in cooperative relation to each other to prevent accidental or unauthorized separation.

The button may be manufactured in any desired size or of any suitable material and may be adapted in form for a stud, collar, or

other button.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Iletters Patent, is-

1. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting within the shank member and formed with anannular groove, a holding-pin radially movable Within the shank member and adapted to engage said groove, and a split ring bearing upon said pin and means to lock the pin against radial movement.

2. A separable button comprising a tubular shank member, a stem member fitting within the shank member and formed with an annular groove, a holding-pin radially movable within the shank member, said shank member being formed with a circu'm ferential groove, and a split ring seated in said groove and contacting with the holdingpin and means to lock the pin againstradial movement.

3. A separable button comprising a tubular shank member having a base-flange and a depending oilset, the bore of said member extending through the offset, aholding-pin radially movable in the offset and normally projecting within the bore of the shank member, a split ring encircling said offset and bearing on the holding-pin, and a shank member formed with an annular groove to receive said pin and means to lock the pin against radial movement.

4. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting withinthe shank member, a pin radially movable in the shank member and adapted'to engage and lock the stem member therein, means for normally holding the pin in engaging position, and means to lock said pin against movement.

5. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting within the lOO IIO

shank member, a spring-pressed pin radially movable in the shank member and adapted to engage the stem member, and means to lock said pin against movement.

6. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member iitting within the shank member and formed withan annular groove, a pin radially movable in the shank member and adapted to seat in said groove, a split ring carried by the shank member and bearing upon said pin, and means to lock said pin against movement in one direction.

7. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting within the shank member and formed with an annular groove, a pin radially movable in the shank member and adapted to seat in said groove, a split ring carried by the shank member and bearing upon said pin, a cap inclosing the split ring and pin, and means carried by the cap to lock said pin against movement in one direction.

S. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member iitting within the shank member and formed with an annular groove, a holding-pin radially movable in the shank member and adapted to seat in said groove, a split ring carried by the shank member and bearing upon said pin, an inclosing cap, and a locking-pin Carried by the cap and adapted on movement thereof to aline with and prevent movement of the liolding-pin.

9. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem iitting within the shank member and formed with an annular groove, a holding-pin radially movable in the shank member and adapted to seat in said groove, a split ring carried by the shank member and i bearing upon said pin, an inclosing cap, a

locking-pin carried by the cap and adapted on movement thereof to aline with and prevent movement of the holding-pin, and a stop-pin carried by the shank member to limit movement of the holding-pin.

10. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting within the shank member, means for seeming the stem member within the shank member, a cap carried by the shank member and revolubly connectedtherewith, and means operated in the revolution of the cap to lock the stemliolding means against movement.

1 1. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member itting therein, means for securing the shank member and stem member together, a cap movably carried by the shank member, means carried by the cap to lock the stem-securing means against operation, and means to limit movement of the cap.

12. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting therein, means for securing the shank member and stem member together, a cap movably carried by the shank member, means carried by the cap to lock the stem-securing means against operation, and means to limit movement of the cap to accurately position the locking means with relation to the stem-securing means.

13. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member cooperating therewith, a pin carried by the shank member and adapted to engage and lock the stem member, a spring normally bearing upon said pin,

and means to lock the pin against movement,

said means in operation serving to move the spring and adapted when in operative relation to the pin to relieve the latter of the spring tension.

14. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem member fitting within the shank member, a pin adapted to engage and lock the stem member, a spring bearing on the pin, and a locking means adapted to engage and hold the pin against movement, said means in operation serving to move the spring, whereby in the movement of said means to the inoperative position the spring is caused to bear upon the pin.

15. A separable button comprising a shank member, a stem,member fitting therein, a holding-pin carried by the shank member and adapted to engage the stem member, a split spring-ring bearing upon the holdingpin, and a locking-pin carried by the shank member and adapted to be moved into alineinent with the holding-pin to prevent operation of the latter, said locking-pin fitting between the terminals of the spring-ring.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. FLADE.

Witnesses:

JOHN L. FLETCHER, KATHARINE ALLEN.

IOO 

